Usagi Yojimbo: The Sakai Project

In honor of Stan Sakai’s 30th year of doing his Usagi graphic novel epic, I figured I would pitch in spiritually and do my own fan art.

But it wasn’t just another cornerstone anniversary year for Stan Sakai. Hundreds of comic book artists showed their camaraderie and love for Stan and Usagi, that a very special benefit art book was published:

The Sakai Project.

It’s a special project that the Comic Art Professionals Society pulled together in order to help Stan’s ill wife. All proceeds from the book sales go to the Sakai’s medical bills.

I got to meet my long time idol today and I asked if he had any copies of his book available to sell and sign. Stan said, “I’m sorry, but I’m totally out. I brought 100 copies to Comic Con, and they were all gone by Thursday morning. I had another 50 sent, and they were gone faster than the first 50 sold.”

It was unfortunate for me, but if you think about it, that was great news for Stan.

I was able to track down a copy of the book (The last copy in fact! Thank you House of Secrets!), and I have already looked through it 5 times already. It’s a real treat to see some of my favorite artists’ own rendition of the sword wielding samurai rabbit.